"I'm scared to go 5, I'll tell you right now!" 🌶️

What happens when a 58-year-old sci-fi fan reads his first open-door alien romance novel? This week on Sci-Fi Book Pod, Space Admiral Kandas and Shane (Space Cadet Second Class) welcome Alesia Galati, host of the We Read Smut podcast and founder of Galati Media, for an in-depth dive into Elizabeth Stevens' indie romance Taken to Voraxia.

Together, the trio explores:

• The 5 Levels of Smut Scale: How Alesia classifies romance heat levels from closed-door kissing all the way to heavy kink—and why Shane needed a cold shower afterward.
• Female vs. Male Writing Lenses: How female-authored romance prioritizes emotional connection, consent, and female pleasure compared to traditional male-driven narratives.
• Alien Tropes & "Forehead Mood Rings": Why color-changing forehead flaps serve as a brilliant writing shortcut for alien communication.
• Socio-Political Intrigue: The underlying themes of manufactured scarcity, moon colony corruption, and galactic infertility driving the plot.
• Healing from Purity Culture: Alesia's personal journey using open-door romance discussions to foster inclusive community.

🔗 Guest Links & Resources Mentioned:

• We Read Smut Podcast & Substack: WeReadSmut.com
• Galati Media: GalatiMedia.com
• Alesia Galati on Gratitude Geek: Podcasting for Women Entrepreneurs (Ep. 289)
• Kandas Rodarte on Podcasting Unlocked: How a Narrow Focus is the Key to Podcasting Longevity
• Purchase the Book: Taken to Voraxia by Elizabeth Stevens
  • Bookshop.org
  • Amazon

Disclaimer: This episode contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show!

About Sci-Fi Book Pod
Sci-Fi Book Pod is the podcast for nerds and geeks who like to read. Married co-hosts Kandas and Shane Rodarte dive into science fiction and speculative fiction books, swapping opinions on the stories, characters, and big ideas inside. Expect thoughtful conversation, nerdy detours, and spoilers.

Connect with us
Sci-Fi Book Pod — https://scifibookpod.com/
Kandas — https://kandasrodarte.com/

Shane — https://shanerodarteart.com/
Gratitude Geek, Kandas’s podcast about building a sustainable solo business — https://gratitudegeek.com/

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What happens when a disabled Nigerian-American writer creates the story that changes everything?

In this episode of Sci-Fi Book Pod, Kandas Rodarte and Shane Rodarte welcome content marketing strategist Alison Ver Halen to discuss Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor—one of the most powerful science-fiction books we have ever covered.

The novel follows Zelu, a writer in a future Chicago who is navigating family expectations, creative rejection, experimental robotic legs, and sudden literary fame. Interwoven with Zelu’s life is her breakthrough novel, Rusted Robots, a far-future science-fiction story about androids, bodiless AI, survival, and the enduring human need for stories.

We discuss:

• Why Death of the Author feels like two exceptional novels in one

• Disability, independence, family pressure, and the difference between protection and control

• Zelu’s struggle to retain ownership of her work when Hollywood adapts it

• The robots and AI of Rusted Robots—and what they reveal about the people who created them

• Africanfuturism, Nigerian-American identity, storytelling, and artistic freedom

• Why the most meaningful science fiction is never just about technology

• How great stories shape culture, relationships, businesses, and brands

This conversation is spoiler-aware, but we avoid revealing the novel’s biggest twist.

Have you read Death of the Author? Tell us: Were you more invested in Zelu’s story or the world of Rusted Robots?

Alison Ver Halen is a content marketing strategist and founder of AV Writing Services. She helps businesses reach the right people through authentic storytelling, high-quality content, and SEO-informed strategy.

Learn more about Alison: https://avwritingservices.com/
Connect with Alison on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-ver-halen/

Connect with us:

Sci-Fi Book Pod: https://scifibookpod.com/
Kandas: https://kandasrodarte.com/
Shane Rodarte: https://shanerodarteart.com/

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Imagine a future that feels disturbingly close to home—where collapse, climate chaos, and corporate power reshape daily life. Spoiler warning: this episode includes major spoilers for Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, and we dig deep into Lauren Olamina, Earthseed, and the book’s powerful ending.

What we discussed:

• Why Becky Mollencamp chose Parable of the Sower even though she thought she “didn’t like sci-fi.”
• How Octavia Butler’s Afrofuturist lens and Earthseed challenge the usual dystopian story.
• Why community, hope, and empathy are central to Lauren Olamina’s leadership.
• How Butler’s prescience shows up in corporatization, climate collapse, and social unrest.
• Why the book raises big feminist questions about power, age gaps, and who gets to lead.

Purchase the book

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

Affiliate disclaimer: We may earn a small commission if you use our link to make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting indie podcasting.

Also mentioned

• The Handmaid's Tale
• Sky Full of Elephants
• Kindred
• Ender's Game
• Six of Crows
• Harry Potter
• Lord of the Rings
• Emergent Strategy
• Braiding Sweetgrass
• Parable of the Talents
• Outlander

About Becky Mollenkamp

Becky Mollenkamp is a feminist business coach, podcaster, and founder of the Feminist Podcasters Collective. She helps creators and business owners build more intentional, inclusive, and values-aligned work.

👉 Connect with Becky Mollenkamp: https://beckymollenkamp.com

About Sci-Fi Book Pod

Sci-Fi Book Pod is hosted by Space Admiral Kandas and Space Cadet Shane, Second Class. Each episode explores science fiction and speculative fiction through a playful, thoughtful, and often feminist lens.

📨 Subscribe for more episodes and updates: https://scifibookpod.com

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